References to the storyline concerning Ari. Spoilers from Kill Ari 1 and 2.

NCIS

"I need you to listen before you talk." I want this to be over with. I wonder how Gibbs did telling the rest of the team.

Tony leans into Ziva and cups her face in his hands, "Ziva nothing you can say will change how I feel about you…unless you're going to tell me you went through a sex change…I don't know if I could look and think about you the same!" Tony finished with a laugh and a wink. "There it is. I haven't seen that all day."

Ziva looked around the room but realized Tony was looking at her. Confused Ziva asked "What?"

"Your beautiful smile," Tony replied. He leaned back and got comfortable. "Okay Ziva tell me."

"ikilledarigibswouldnotletmetellanyone"

"Ziva stop. Calm down. Take a deep breath and tell me slowly."

"I killed Ari. It was a set-up arranged by Gibbs and I was to watch and listen from upstairs. It was so hard to listen to Ari and Gibbs's conversation. Even hearing it I still could not believe. Even though I knew what I heard was the truth. My father will do anything he feels is good for Israel, it does not matter who it hurts. Gibbs lied on the report to protect me." That was the easy part. I do not want to reveal that he was my half-brother.

"Ziva what aren't you telling me? Gibbs said that you're lucky that Mikha'el didn't know that whole story or you might be dead. Knowing that you killed Ari would make him mad but he's targeting the whole team so I don't think it matters who actually shot him."

"I think Mikha'el's plan was to infiltrate NCIS through me. When I revealed that I would be friends only with him he got angry. He knew that as friends the chances of meeting the team were slim. Before that I believe he was going to let me live because of my connection to Ari."

"That you were his handler in Mossad? I would think that he would hold you responsible for not getting him out. I know you tried. What other connection did you have?" I knew it. They were lovers. I promised that nothing could change the way I feel but this will take some getting used to. I mean come on Ari killed Kate.

"Tony…Tony…TONY!"

"…What…"

"Dime for your thoughts."

"Penny. It's penny for your thoughts. I was thinking of other connections you had with Ari and I wasn't really liking the way my brain was going. Continue." Please don't tell me you were a couple.

"Ari is my older half-brother." There it's done. Tony better think before he responds or I will really kill him this time.

"Oh…Ziva, I am so sorry." To be the one that had to stop Ari before he killed Gibbs must have been verydifficult. Many people put in that same situation probably would not have been able to kill a family member for their job or their country. To lose Tali in a bombing and then to have to kill your last sibling is devastating. "Do you want to talk about it? Did you grow up knowing Ari?"

"When we were younger Tali and I would go and visit Ari. We were told he was our cousin. It wasn't until Tali was killed that my father told me the truth. I had taken Tali's death hard. I told you once that she was the best of us and when she was gone I worked hard to become Mossad. To assassinate as many evil people I could. I just did not know that would include Ari. Even though I have been around death a lot I would not change a thing. It was fate."

"What? Fate?"

"Think about it. Tali led me to Mossad. Ari led me to NCIS, to the team. Working for NCIS has changed me. I love being a part of a close team. I am truly happy for the first time since I was told Tali was dead. Mikha'el has ruined it for me. Now the team knows that Ari was my brother. Everyone will hate me, I will have to go back to Israel," Ziva finished with a sigh and was looking at everywhere but Tony. Ziva tried to get up and leave but was stopped short by Tony's voice and his hand on her wrist.

"Wait. Sit down." Tony kept a firm grip on her wrist until she settled back down. "Now will you look at me…look at me Ziva?" Ziva slowly raised her head but firmly kept her eyes closed. "Ziva open your eyes. No don't shake your head open your eyes. Fine be stubborn. Listen up. Nothing Ari did could make me hate you. That would be blaming you for someone else's actions…yes it would," Tony says when he sees her shaking her head at his last comment. "I would never blame a kid or a sibling or a spouse or even a parent for what their family member did, only if they helped in the actual crime. I know it's hard not to help your close family members when they get into trouble. Do you really want to know how I feel about what you just told me?" To kill your own brother. No wonder she wanted to get away from her father and Mossad for awhile. I always knew she was a capable agent but even though she was able to kill Ari she still carries the scars.

"…Yes…" came a whisper from her.

NCIS

To Be Continued…

Got a new laptop for Christmas from my parents and my new year resolution is to work on this story. Really struggled with this chapter, please let me know if this is too out of character. I really love hearing what you thought. So continue with the great reviews.